First responders learn dangers of meth production

A group of about 35 first responders, mostly firefighters, attended a special class May 1 in Albion, conducted by Wayne Briley. As an officer with the county environmental health department and a chief with Redwood Empire Hazardous Incident Team, Briley responds to spills or improper disposal of any material suspected to be hazardous waste, including fuels spills and methampetamine (meth) lab cleanup sites.

Firefighters, ambulance personnel, police, transportation department and public works personnel are at increasing risk of exposure to deadly chemicals associated with meth production.

Not a word of Briley's presentation referred to the treatment of someone who has been exposed to meth manufacturing chemicals. He focused on how responders can protect themselves by recognizing warning signs.

"To citizens who are not firefighters: You can be walking your dog and find a meth lab dump," Briley said. "Firefighters may see it ... at any structure fire, but anyone can [encounter] it, so it's pertinent to everyone."